Zwarte Piet (person)

According to tradition, there are many Zwarte Pieten, who all have their own specialization (much like the smurfs). There is a Zwarte Piet for writing the poetry that accompagnies Sinterklaas presents, one that bakes speculaas, one to care for Sinterklaas' horse, one for everything you can think of. There is also always one Luie Piet (Lazy Pete) or Domme Piet (Stupid Pete), to provide comic intermezzos. And to provide an excuse for any late present or not-so-good poem.

The festival of Sinterklaas is celebrated every year in Dutch primary schools. To avoid the accusation of racism, especially in schools with many non-white kids, the Zwarte Pieten sometimes come as a multicoloured bunch: a Red Pete, a Green Pete, a Blue Pete...
One wonders what is more important: tradition or political correctness. In this case political correctness seems to have won.